Full text of Tinubu's speech at ECOWAS summit on Niger coup

Full text of Tinubu's speech at ECOWAS summit on Niger coup

 Your Excellency, the President of
the ECOWAS Commission;

Your Excellency, President of the
African Union Commission;

Your Excellency, President of the
UEMOA Commission;

The Special Representative of the
Secretary General of the United Nations in West Africa and the Sahel; and

 

Distinguished Ladies and
Gentlemen.

 

1. Let me commence by welcoming
you all to the Second Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in
the Republic of Niger, within the space of ten days. Your presence here,
despite the short notice, demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our
esteemed community to finding a lasting solution to the political situation in
the Republic of Niger.

 

2. Today, we gather with a
profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments
made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis
befalling our sister nation. During that initial meeting, we voiced our
solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President,
H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention
of their democratically elected President.

 

Your Excellencies, Distinguished
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

3. As you may recall, we called
on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government. We
proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would
serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.
Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not
yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts through the
deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for
a peaceful resolution of the political situation. One of the facilitators,
former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us
on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.

 

4. Similarly, as part of a
coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS
nations, particularly Libya and Algeria. During these engagements, the Envoy
designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of
Libya. This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the
resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in
Niger. In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on
behalf of the President of the country. These initiatives are aimed at
presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in
Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African
nations.

 

Your Excellencies, Distinguished
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

5. Following the resolution of
our previous Extraordinary Summit to initiate a meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of
Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was duly held from
2nd to 4thAugust, 2023. The outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by
the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments
in Niger, will be presented during this Summit. These will offer critical
insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this
meeting.

 

6. Today’s Summit provides a
significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made
since our last gathering. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our
interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered
progress. Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart
a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.

 

Moreso, in reaffirming our
relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the
people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and
dialogue as the bedrock of our approach. We must engage all parties involved,
including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to
relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. It is our duty to exhaust all
avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in
Niger.

 

7. More specifically, as leaders
of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger
not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has
far-reaching implications for the entire West African region. By remaining steadfast
in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule
of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of
Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for
all.

 

Esteemed Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

8. I am confident that this 2nd
ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of
Niger will be a defining moment in our journey towards a stronger, more
resilient, and integrated West Africa. Let us seize this opportunity to make a
lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Africans as we strive to build a
future defined by peace, progress, and prosperity.

 

9. In conclusion, I extend my
gratitude to each of you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust
that our deliberations will be productive and fruitful, leading us to find an
amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger. As we continue to work
together in solidarity and harmony, we can ensure a prosperous future for the
entire West African region.

 

10. With these remarks, I hereby
declare this Extraordinary Summit open.

 

Thank you all, for your
attention.

Source: Full text of Tinubu's speech at ECOWAS summit on Niger coup

 - NigerianEye
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